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Error when downloading Steam Games – How to fix

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While updating the Steam Client for Windows, macOS, and Linux, one encounters this error when downloading or installing the Steam Client. Our aim in this article is to present a solution to the steam disk error that you may also experience.

A disk write error in Steam can be fixed effectively by using the given method. Therefore, let’s continue with the instructions below.

SSD disk write error:

Whenever Steam cannot download, install, or uninstall a game, this error occurs. The error message is displayed here

  • During the installation of the game title (disk write error), the following error occurred: C:\Program Files (x86)\steam\steamapps\common\game_title
  • There was an error while updating game_title as well as an error during installation of game_title

Result of Steam Disk Write Error

Several reasons can affect this; the most obvious are:

  • Disk or folder with write-protection
  • Failures of HDDs and SSDs
  • Steam Client couldn’t download and save a file due to an antivirus program or firewall.
  • Having problems accessing the Steam directory

Update your System Driver

The two primary methods of updating your system driver are: the manual method and using the manufacturer driver. The automatic driver update program can be used in the meantime. With Driver Booster, your system will be scanned and the update will automatically be downloaded and installed for you.

Steam Disk Write Error: How to fix it.

The following guide provides instructions for troubleshooting Steam disk write errors.

Steam Client needs to be restarted

Restarting the Steam Client potentially fixes the Disk write when the executable program is executed for the temporary cache or bugs.

  • Quite Steam
  • Restart the Steam client afterwards
  • This should resolve the problem; check whether it has.

Run Flushconfig

Clear your download cache by executing the flushconfig.

  • Open Windows Run Dialog Box, use Windows + R
  • Then, Enter steam://flushconfig and hit enter
  • Click ok to confirm your action, then restart your computer
  • Now, Launch the Steam
  • Then, Re-Download and install the update to resolve the Disk Write Error.
  • That’s it!

Delete 0KB and corrupted file

Check for the 0KB file and then delete it from your system to fix the steam disk.

  • Open Windows Run Dialog box, Use Windows + R
  • Enter %ProgramFiles(x86)% and then hit enter
  • Look for the Steam folder and delete the 0KB folder.
  • To remove the corrupted file, Delete the Content_log from the log inside the Steam folder.
  • That’s it!

Run Disk Scan

You can scan your partition to check for errors or any problems; here is the guide to do so.

  • Open, This PC, and use Windows + E to open
  • Then, Right-click on Volume (Disk Partition)
  • Click on Properties and then click on Tools
  • Select Check to appear in Error Checking; it will start checking
  • Next, Click on Scan Drive to confirm your action and then it starts scanning.
  • If it finds an error, it shows the log and troubleshooting tool.
  • That’s it!

Restart your computer

If the above guide doesn’t help you fix the error, you can try rebooting your PC to resolve this error.

Reboot your Windows 10 or Windows 8

  • Open the Start Menu and then head over to select the power option placed on the bottom of Windows 10 while heading over to the top to choose the power option.
  • Click on Restart
  • That’s it!

Reboot using the power Menu

  • Press the Windows + X key to open the Power User Menu
  • Click on Shut down or sign out
  • Then, Select Restart.

Restart using a computer using Ctrl + Alt + Del

  • Press Ctrl + Alt + Del, and then it opens a dialogue box.
  • Choose restart and then hit enter.
  • That’s it!

Restart using Windows Command Prompt

  • Open CMD and then type shutdown, Hit enter
  • Then, your system will be restarted.
  • That’s it!

Change Write Protection drive or steam folder

  • Open Windows File Explorer
  • Then, Head over to the Steam or Drive
  • Click on the folder and then click on Home
  • Select Properties and then choose Properties
  • Uncheck the checkbox Read-only to enable the Write Protection
  • Click on Apply and select ok
  • That’s it!

Change Read-Protection from File using CMD

  • Press Windows + X and then click on Run
  • Select diskpart and choose ok
  • Enter DISKPART and then enter list disk, hit enter
  • Then, Choose the Disk and then hit enter (Like, select disk 1)
  • Once you select your Disk, Enter attributes Disk clear read-only and hit enter
  • That’s it!

Enable Read-only for Steam Client Folder

  • Head over to the Steam Folder from the Steam directory
  • Right-click on the folder and then uncheck the checkbox for Read Only
  • Then, Click on ok
  • That’s it!

Run Steam as an administrator

A possible way to resolve the fixed steam disk error, launch the game as administrator. Where it gives you additional permission to fix temporary bugs, glitches or cache.

  • Left-click on Steam
  • Then click on More and then select Run as an administrator
  • Confirm UAC (User Acess Control), and it opens the Steam with additional permission.
  • That’s it!

Remove Steam-Corrupted Files

Delete your Steam folder so your corrupted files resolve the Steam disk write error; here is the guide to follow.

  • Open Steam Folder
  • Then, open the steam apps/common file directory
  • Remove the folder and then check whether the steam disk error is resolved or not
  • That’s it!

Change your Download Region

If you still face the Steam Disk Error, try to change the download region to fix the Disk write error.

  • Launch Steam and then Open Settings
  • Click on Downloads and then click on download region to change accordingly.
  • That’s it!

Clear Download Cache

  • Launch Steam and then open Steam Settings
  • Under Download option, Click on Clear Download Cache at the bottom
  • Then, Click ok
  • That’s it!

Switch to Different Steam library

  • Open Steam and then open Settings
  • Click on the Steam Library folder under the Downloads option.
  • Select Add Library folder and choose the new location to store the game file.
  • Click ok to save changes.
  • That’s it!

Verify game integrity

To get Steam pre-builds here, Steam pre-build this tool to scan and replace the corrupted file by downloading the new file from the resolve.

  • Open Steam and then head over to the Steam Library
  • Then, Head over to the game and Right-click on it.
  • Select Properties and Select Local Files
  • Choose Verify Integrity of Game Files
  • That’s it!

Clear Steam Download Cache

Steam does store the cache file; follow the following instruction mentioned down below.

  • Launch Steam and then head over to Steam
  • Click on Settings and then select Downloads
  • Select Clear Download Cache
    That’s it!

Move Steam files to a different volume.

If the guide mentioned above doesn’t help, you should try to move the steam files to your system different volume. Additionally, you can reinstall the Steam Client to your other drive partitions.

Create New Steam Game to another drive

  • Launch Steam and then click on Steam
  • Click on Settings and then Select Downloads
  • Choose Steam Library Folder and select add a Library folder
  • Choose the preferable drive and then create a new folder.
  • Then, Click ok to continue moving the steam install folder to a new partition.
  • That’s it!

Move Steam File Folder to New Partition

  • Launch Steam Client and then click on Library
  • Select the game and then right-click on the game to open properties
  • Choose Local Files and then select Move Install Folder
  • Next, Select the preferable drive and then choose a folder
  • Click on Move Folder and confirm your action
  • That’s it!

Check Drive Error

There could be a different reason behind your system drive’s error; Scan to check the lousy disk sector. Then, you can fix the fail HDD (Hard Disk Drive), which triggers the logical error on your drive.

Run CHKSDK

  • Open CMD (Command Prompt) as an administration
  • Write CMD and then enter C:\chkdsk X (Replace X with drive partition like C:\chkdsk /d /e /f)
  • It Starts scanning for the disk error, despite it can’t find the problem.
  • That’s it!

Disbale Antivirus Program

It might be possible that your Antivirus program or Firewall might restrict your Steam Client to execute because the Antivirus program likely considers it as a threat. For this, Temporary Disable your Antivirus and Firewall program; also, you can add the Steam Client to your exceptions.

Disable Real-time Antivirus on Windows

  • Open Windows Defender from the settings
  • Then, Click on Virus & Threat Protection
  • Click on Manage Settings and toggle to disable the Real-time Protection
  • That’s it!

Disable Windows Firewall on Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP

  • Open Settings and then head over to the system and security
  • Select Windows Firewall and then click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off
  • Next, Select the Turn off Windows Firewall
  • Click on ok to save changes
  • That’s it!

Reinstall Steam

If the above method doesn’t resolve the error, then you can uninstall Steam. First, uninstall the Steam and then Download and reinstall the Steam on your system.

Contact Steam Support Team

Suppose the troubleshooting, as mentioned earlier, the method doesn’t help you fix the Steam Disk Write Error. You can contact them on their social profiles or head over to the Stream Community Forum for further assistance.